Bathroom Bill Opens New doors As It Passes In The Senate
By Kirsten Nielsen
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Senate passed legislation Thursday to ensure that people with medical conditions can use employee restrooms when public ones are not available.
Senate Bill 137 passed by a vote of 34-15.
Supporters of the bill say that having this assurance for people with diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn’s disease means they won’t have to fear to have accidents in public. Emotional distress from public embarrassment will no longer be an issue.
However, opponents of the bill, such as Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell, say that most people are granted access to the restroom in most businesses.
“I don’t think it’s another regulation we need,†said Niemeyer.
SB 137 now goes to the House for consideration.
Kirsten Nielsen is a reporter with TheStatehousefile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
Senate Passes Bill Allowing Sunday Alcohol Sales
JANUARY 23rd, 2018Â 
 BRITNEY TAYLOR INDIANA
The legislation passed 39 to 10 with no discussion.
The bill allows liquor, grocery and convenience stores to sell alcoholic beverages from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.
Now the bill heads to the House for a vote.
OOPS! By Jim Redwine
GAVEL GAMUT
By
Jim Redwine
Week of January 22, 2018
OOPS!
Say you finally found the time and money to go to Hawaii. It is a beautiful day. Slight ocean breeze. Swaying palm trees. Smoke from Kilauea Volcano languidly wafting into the sky. The aroma of a whole hog slowly roasting in a pit of sand while poi is being prepared by graceful hula dancers. A Mai Tai with a tiny umbrella calling your name as you lift the coconut shell to your lips. Life is good. Then, just as you finish your Mai Tai and head to the first tee you are accosted by a cacophony of blaring shrieks from every electronic device within earshot:
“BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL!â€
Now you have a dilemma. You have already spent more money on airline tickets than you paid for your first car. A round of golf, paid in advance and unrefundable, cost more than the birth of your first child. You have schlepped your heavy golf clubs from Indiana to “an island sitting in the middle of the Pacific Oceanâ€.
You bought new golf shoes and enough $5.00 golf balls to lose one on each of the 18 holes. Your plaid shorts and black socks with little tassels look super cool with your flowered golf shirt.
You think to yourself, “Self, what should we do?†Options are cascading through your brain. Take cover. Dig a hole next to the luau pit and pull it over you. Run to the beach and hope the water doesn’t boil you alive. Find a basement not leaking full of seeping water. Curse. Pray. Beg. Scream.
After much negotiation with the gods over the unfortunately miasmic circumstances you make your decision:
“Well, at least the golf course is now devoid of other people. I think I might as well tee off and when the round is over, if I am still alive, follow the advice my drill instructor gave in Air Force Basic Training to prepare for a nuclear attack:
‘Put a chair in the middle of the room, bend over and kiss ….!’â€
Oh, by the way, after 38 minutes an announcement came out, “Just kidding, someone pushed the wrong buttonâ€.
For more Gavel Gamut articles go to
Motorist Arrested for Drunk Driving on USI-Burdette Park Walking Trail
- An intoxicated motorist is in jail this morning after a sheriff’s deputy observed her driving a Jeep onto the USI – Burdette Park Trial and then striking a concrete safety pylon.
On Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 9:15 PM a sheriff’s deputy observed a white Jeep Wrangler speeding through a parking lot on the University of Southern Indiana campus near the entrance of the USI – Burdette Park Trail. The Jeep entered the pedestrian only trail and disregarded all attempts by the deputy to pull the vehicle over.
The Jeep continued driving at a high rate of speed until it slowed and then struck a concrete pylon in place to prevent motor vehicles from accessing the trail via Broadway Avenue. After striking the pylon, the driver shifted the vehicle into reverse and backed into the front of the deputy’s marked patrol unit.
The deputy made contact with the driver, who identified herself as Ms. Tara Evans. When asked if she knew where she was, Ms. Evans replied that she was “driving to a friends house off Schutte Road”. Ms. Evans appeared not to be aware that she was on the USI campus or that she was on a pedestrian trail.
Ms. Evans admitted to having consumed alcoholic beverages prior to the crash. Ms. Evans failed field sobriety testing on scene and agreed to perform a certified chemical breath test at a different location. The result of the certified chemical breath test determined that Evans’s blood alcohol level was .18%, which is more than double the legal limit of .08%. Ms. Evans was arrested and booked in the Vanderburgh County Jail
No pedestrians were on the trail at the time of the crash. Both vehicles sustained only minor damage.
ARRESTED:
Tara Denise Evans (pictured above), 33, of Eansville. Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated with a BAC Greater than .15 as a Class A Misdemeanor, Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated as a Class A Misdemeanor.
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
“READERS FORUM” JANUARY 22, 2018
WHATS ON YOUR MIND TODAY?
Todays “Readers Poll” question is: If the election was held today for the U. S. Senate in the Republican primary who would you vote for?
Please take time and read our articles entitled “STATEHOUSE Files, CHANNEL 44 NEWS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, READERS POLL, BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBS†and “LOCAL SPORTSâ€.  You now are able to subscribe to get the CCO daily.
City Council Meeting January 22, 2018
MEETING AGENDA JANUARY 22, 2018
ROOM 301, CIVIC CENTER 5:30 P.M.
AGENDA OF CITY OF EVANSVILLE COMMON COUNCIL
I. INTRODUCTION
II. APPROVAL OF MEETING MEMORANDA
III. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
IV. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
V. CONSENT AGENDA: FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
ORDINANCE R-2018-01
Petitioner: Requested Change: Representative:
ORDINANCE R-2018-02
Petitioner: Requested Change: Representative:
An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 1625 W. Missouri Street
Chris Rauch Owner: Chris Rauch
M3 to R2 Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer
Chris Rauch
An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 315 Taylor Avenue
Dean Hall Owner: Spinnaker Holdings, LLC CO2 to C4 Ward: 4 Robinson
Dean Hall, Mama’s, Inc.
VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS
VII. REGULAR AGENDA: SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
ORDINANCE G-2018-01
Sponsor(s): Discussion Led By: Notify:
ORDINANCE G-2018-02
Sponsor(s): Discussion Led By: Notify:
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2.160 of the Evansville Municipal Code
Adams, Elpers A.S.D. Chair Adams, and Elpers.  Legal opinions by Marco DeLucio, ZSWS
An Ordinance Amending the Zoning Code by Establishing an Overlay Zone in the West Franklin Street Area Relaxing Certain Parking Requirements (25%)
Adams, Brinkmeyer
A.S.D. Chair Adams 1/22/2018 Ron London, APC
ORDINANCE G-2018-03
Sponsor(s): Discussion Led By: Notify:
ORDINANCE R-2017-24
Petitioner: Requested Change: Representative:
ORDINANCE R-2017-26
Petitioner: Requested Change: Representative:
ORDINANCE R-2017-27 Petitioner:
Requested Change: Representative:
VIII. RESOLUTION DOCKET
An Ordinance Amending the Zoning Code by Establishing an Overlay Zone in the West Franklin Street Area Relaxing Certain Parking Requirements (50%)
Mosby, Weaver
A.S.D. Chair Adams 1/22/2018 Ron London, APC
An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 1916 S. Helfrich Avenue
Donald E. Hamilton Owner: Donald E. Hamilton
R1 to C4 w/ UDC Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer
Marla Hamilton
An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 1209 E. Oregon Street
J & L McElroy Holdings LLC Owner: Joseph & Lisa McElroy CO2 to C4 w/ UDC Ward: 3 Hayden
Lisa McElroy
An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 65 -67 Adams Avenue
Claire Ballard
C4 w/ UDC to R2 Claire Ballard
Evansville Brownfields Corporation by 4th Ward Councilmember Robinson
IX. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
THE NEXT MEETING of the Common Council will be Monday, February 12, 2018, at 5:30 p.m.
CITY CONTROLLER’S 2017 INVESTMENT REPORT: Russ Lloyd, Jr., City Controller
BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
 COMMITTEEREPORTS XI. ADJOURNMENT
Former District 77 State Representative, Gail Riecken Wonders â€Who’s Going To Speak For The Children?â€
Written by CCO Statehouse Editor Gail Riecken
Last week I read StatehouseFilrles Publisher, John Krull’s article in the CCO about the crisis surrounding the Department of Children’s Services (DCS).  His frustration was intense.
I couldn’t help but have a visual of his throwing open the huge Statehouse doors yelling at everyone in sight….
â€Who’s going to speak for the Children?â€
I share his frustration.
The crisis I refer to is the resignation letter of DCS Director Mary Beth Bonaventura. She wrote claims against Governor Holcomb’s administration that are truly damaging.
In Bonaventura’s resignation letter to Governor Holcomb,  she said: “Without serious changes in the way the Governor’s office approaches the welfare of children and the needs of vulnerable children, I fear lives will be lost and families ruined.â€
The administration and leadership in the legislature don’t seem concerned enough to counter these claims.
The Governor to date has simply dismissed the issue.  He says there are too many children in the system; more money for resources isn’t the solution; and, that hiring a firm from Alabama to do a long-term study is enough (which he has already prejudiced their conclusions saying money isn’t part of the solution).
It looks like the Governor isn’t alone. The Republican Party that controls the legislative agenda has issued its priorities and there isn’t one mention of the DCS and its problems ( list published in the City-County Observer by Rep Wendy McNamara).
There should be a public explanation of the complaints by Bonaventura; the legislature should hold a public hearing.
We the public should contact our representatives. We should ask them, ‘Isn’t there something more than the State should be doing this session to keep our at-risk children safe?’
I know the first week in January is the traditional Kumbayah of speeches and position-taking by both Democrats and Republicans. I accept that.
Now that’s over.  Let’s get to work and protect our children, that is, before former Director Bonaventura’s warning becomes reality.